The requirement for motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection is once again the law in Florida. Governor Charlie Crist signed the legislation this morning. The hitch is that it is not required until January first, which as Mike Vasilinda tells us, could lead to some confusing times for motorists involved in accidents over the next three months.

There are 700 accidents a day in Florida. Until the No Fault law expired
October 1st every driver was required to carry Personal Injury
Protection Insurance to cover medical expenses.

The laws death was short. With the stroke of his pen, the governor once
again made No Fault the law of the land…but not until January first.
The Governor thinks the problems from the short lapse will be minimal.

“I doubt that many of those policies lapsed on October the first. I
think many of them are continuing right now,” Crist said.

Sponsor Bill Posey says over the next three months, motorists will still
have to prove they have insurance.

“Your still required, by law, to be financially responsible,” Posey said. “If you’re
in an accident between now and the first of January and you’re not
financially responsible, you will have your license suspended.”

As many as 300 thousand PIP policies could expire before January. House
Sponsor Ellyn Bogdanoff says if you are in doubt about your coverage,
call your agent.

“Obviously we passed the law because we think it’s an important
coverage. It provides the benefits that they need in the event they’re
in an accident,” Bogdanoff said. “So we would suggest that they absolutely find a carrier
that possibly is interested in selling them PIP or something like it, so
at least they have the protection until January 1, when everyone has to
comply.”

A coalition of insurers, lawyers and others had fought to keep the law
from coming back. The score, says sponsors,…the public interest, 100.
Special interests, zero.